New US Warship's Bow Contains Steel from World Trade Center

A U.S. warship built with steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center has arrived in New York. The USS New York stopped alongside Ground Zero to fire a 21-gun salute honoring those who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York. Relatives of the victims, first responders, and hundreds of onlookers gathered as the ship arrived in the city. It is to be officially commissioned on Saturday.

Just after sunrise the USS New York sailed into the city, It was greeted by hundreds of onlookers.

The ship's bow contains 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center, as well as images of the Twin Towers in its stern. Almost 15 percent of the crew is from New York state.

Members of New York's Police, Fire and Ambulance services saluted the ship as the New York came to a stop and fired its guns.

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Many came here to remember the events of September 11, 2001.

Grace Crowley and Peter Capretta folded a flag to remember fallen friends. "People need to remember everyday, and they need to teach their children," Crowley said.

Bill Jennings, a veteran, says he thinks it is fitting that the steel from the World Trade Center ruins is now being used to defend America.

"Knowing that there are 7 tons, nearly 8 tons of steel, from that happening, from that day makes me proud," he said.

The USS New York sailed all the way from Louisiana, taking 2 weeks to reach Manhattan.

Alison and David Sanderson traveled from New Orleans. David Sanderson inspected the ship for the Navy before it set sail. He says those who built the ship knew it was a special project.

"We handled the steel like kids with kitten gloves. It was really neat," David said. "You could just feel the sense of pride in everybody that built the ship."

The ship will be officially commissioned on Saturday, and it will be open to the public for several days. People in New York will be able to see up close the ship that bears the city's name.